The Alpha King's Nemesis-Chapter 194: A Rumour ()

"A rumour?" Zariah asked Allen with a raised brow, placing down the glass of water she held in her hand.

A silent routine had been established amongst the Crimson Wolves, once in every three days, Zariah would receive the reports on all that had happened in the Ethereal Palace as well as in the process of carrying out their duties.

Zariah would then provide further instructions on what they were to do. Today was one of such days and Allen had come in person, but this time, he had come with a very disturbing report.

"Yes, Alpha. It began right after the second event of the mutilated rogues at the Royal Lycan border, since then it has happened once more... and the rumors grew in turn." Allen confirmed, his tone grim.

"What does it say?" Zariah asked with a raised brow.

She had not gone out into the city or to the Ethereal Palace in over a week, as such she had not heard of any such rumors.

Allen hesitated for a moment before he provided an answer.

"The rumour claims that Alpha King Askel is responsible for the recent unprovoked killings of rogues." Allen revealed.

Zariah frowned slightly, taking a sit across from Allen.

"Askel? That is absurd." Darren said with a shake of his head.

"As most rumors are. However word of it is spreading like wildfire, particularly amongst the human population. At this rate, it is already impossible to curb it... I fear King Askel’s reputation might be greatly harmed by this." Allen said in a serious tone.

"A rumor spoken by just enough lips becomes the truth, intentionally targeted at the weak minded too...It will not be our first time dealing with such a situation." Zariah murmured thoughtfully.

"Panic is rising quickly, a few of the Ethereal Alphas have begun asking questions and sending in petitions to the supernatural council. It is still under wraps for now but one can see this will escalate much more quickly than anyone can contain." Allen asserted.

"All who hold discontent towards the Alpha King will jump at this opportunity, to fan the flames if it means dealing him a blow...they are well aware the supernatural council will have to look into the matter if it becomes concerning."

"It goes without saying that this is a well planned attack, perhaps the rogue killings were all for this purpose...to discredit the Ethereal King, turn the Ethereal Alphas against one another and cast the domain into pandemonium." Darren said.

"But for what purpose? And who could be behind such a malicious plan?" Darren asked in bafflement.

Zariah frowned slightly, she also was not certain about this turn of events.

’Askel is being attacked, I did not expect this. The mastermind would have no benefits from taking down a powerful figure on his side like Askel... does this mean Askel was never involved with the mastermind?’ Zariah wondered.

"Alpha, what are we to do about this? Are we to remain uninvolved? Keep our efforts focused on the peace treaty as was planned? Leave the Ethereal wolves to handle their affairs?" Allen asked with concern, his words drawing Zariah out of her thoughts.

Zariah thought over it for a moment, running a hand through her hair. A date was soon to be settled on for the peace treaty, the leaders of all domains would be present.

Lord Kodin had been hard at work and so had the Ethereal wolves, taking trips and hosting meetings.

But would it truly be okay to overlook the troubles right before their eyes and focus on what lay ahead? The Royal Lycan Pack had a part to play, if the peace accord was going to be a success.

"What can we do on our end? What resources do we have available?" Zariah asked Allen.

Allen breathed an audible sigh of relief, Zariah could see her subordinates had concluded she would leave King Askel hanging since the agreed month was not up.

"Alpha, you gave orders to closely monitor the rogues and we communicated those orders. Before all of this began, we have long been tracking the most significant movements in the unclaimed lands." Allen reported.

"Then, you have an idea of who is behind the killings?" Zariah asked.

"Not yet, but we have been able to identify the rogues who have been killed so far. We equally know there has been a strange phenomenon on the unclaimed lands on multiple occasions."

"If we look further into it, we will be able to narrow it down." Allen replied.

"Strange phenomenon..." Zariah murmured to herself.

’It could not be the forsaken...a demon, perhaps?’ Zariah thought.

As rare as they were, they still did exist. They could be summoned and controlled by the most powerful witches and Zariah had already encountered two demons since leaving the barrier.

"What should we do with this information? Handle it discreetly?" Allen asked.

"Putting a stop to the killings will not end the rumors. Handling it within our ranks will only create more room for undue suspicions." Zariah murmured shaking her head slightly.

"Go to Lucas, convey your findings to him. Provide him with all our resources and information sources, get it resolved before the month is up...you must be sure to apprehend the true killer. That is the only way Askel’s name will be cleared." Zariah instructed.

"Will Alpha not get involved personally...if Alpha handles it in person, it would take only a few days at the most. And the Royal Lycan wolves would feel more at ease...we have not been on the best terms as of late." Allen admitted.

Zariah shook her head slowly, this was not the time to get involved. Not when she had Caedmon’s shadow looming over her at every turn.

With Caedmon in the picture, the less involved Zariah was, the better it was for everyone. Caedmon could never be allowed to know what Zariah was up to, or how much suspicion she held, or how large her network out here truly was.

"I trust you to deal with it just fine. As for the rest, Askel and I presently... have a conflict of interests, it will be best to stay away." Zariah decided.

Darren and Allen exchanged a look at Zariah’s words but nodded.

"Then I will get to it immediately. I will borrow Darren for a few days, Nile and Kirsten are overwhelmed with handling the matters of the other six seas along with Lord Melven." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"Kaileen and Dionne are deliberating with Lord Kodin on the best way to approach the dwarves." Allen explained to Zariah.

"You have all been burdened greatly. I apologize." Zariah said sincerely.

"Not at all, Alpha. For the first time, I actually feel alive... the Crimson Wolves are out of the barrier now, we are righting the wrongs... I have never felt more certain of anything, this is the right path." Allen said, a small grin on his lips.